"The next 87th Precinct novel!"

Ed McBain's 87th Precinct novels just seem to get better and better with each and every one that I read. Even better, this latest novel highlights my favorite character, Detective Steve Carella.

This tale involves an up and coming rock star named Tamar Valparaiso. She's young, beautiful and can sing like nobody's business. She's just getting ready to launch her first album in a huge way. Her record producer, Barney Loomis, owner of Bison Records, has pulled out all the stops. He believes that Tamar is a winner and he wants to make sure the world knows it.

What nobody plans on is Tamar getting kidnapped in the middle of her performance right in the middle of her launch party. Barney Loomis is beside himself. How can he get his star back unharmed?

This is where Steve Carella comes in but then the FBI decides they have to get involved as well. Barney demands that Steve is called in to help the FBI team nicknamed 'The Squad'. Steve's boss agrees but Steve is not happy with this arrangement so he decides to do a little investigating on his own as well.

Will Steve and the 87th Precinct be able to figure it all out before it's too late for Tamar and before 'The Squad' bumbles the whole case? Only time will tell.

This tale was intriguing in the fact that we saw the story through many different eyes. We looked into the eyes of the kidnappers, The Squad, the 87th Precinct and Barney Loomis all of which when put together told a story of violence and greed. I'm anxious to see what the next 87th Precinct will tackle next.

Reviewed by Kathy Boswell
Posted January 8, 2004

Summary

It should have been the night that launched a new pop idol. Tamar Valparaiso is young and beautiful, with the body and voice of an angel, and the stage is set for her to launch her debut album, Bandersnatch, on a luxury yacht in the heart of the city. But halfway through her performance, while the partygoers look on helplessly, masked men drag Tamar off the stage and into a waiting speedboat. Detective Steve Carella is just showing up for the graveyard shift when news of the kidnapping comes in. Working disjointedly with a Joint Task Force that calls itself "The Squad," Carella and the men and women of the Eight-Seven must find Tamar before time -- or indeed her very life -- runs out. In this brilliant look at the music industry, Ed McBain once again combines his mastery of the form with the fast- paced dialogue and intricate plotting that have become his signature.